Wild Coast Walk 1 – The Pondo Trail 
South Africa. 

5 Nights includes B&B first night 

Price estimation from  $1,930pp (16 pax) 
Non-Exclusive package – 4-night Pondo Trail with a mixed group
of like-minded individuals, couples or families.
Prices differ per season / accommodation choice / exchange rate / annual adjustments
(Please email shane@wlafrica.co.za)
Fully booked 2022
 
The Pondo Trail 
Includes:
Guided 4-night adventure, accommodation and bedding, all meals, vehicle support, transport of luggage to overnight stops, snacks, refreshments, G&T, local beer and wine, kayaks, snorkelling and fishing equipment.
 
Excludes:
Transfers, drinks at Mbotyi River Lodge and additional specially requested items.
Please enquire about additional add-on’s:
• Helicopter and chartered flight transfers in and out of camps
• Variations to the itinerary
• Pondo Trail Xtreme package
• Trail-running
• Corporate team-building and incentive packages
 
Payment terms:
  • A deposit of 50% of total trip amount is required to secure booking for agreed date.
  • Balance of payment, including any extras and transfers, is due 45 days prior to departure of the trip.
  • Should balance of payment not be received within 45 days of departure, we reserve the right to re-sell the slot date without a refund of deposit.
 
 
Anyone can hike the Transkei Coast – What defines us is the Wild Child Experience. From the magnificent 311km Wild Coast, we have carefully and purposefully chosen our Pondo Trail® as the canvas upon which we create a series of unique experiences and memorable moments. Through our knowledge, passion and love of this area, we will enrich your time with visits to secret waterfalls, or point out a rare Orchid in seasonal flower. It’s a privilege to highlight aspects of the vibrant Mpondo culture and history and enthral you with many wonderful tales of adventure, shipwrecks and survival and how they have shaped this coastline. The unique microclimate presents countless opportunities to observe and appreciate the many endemic plants, animals and birds that occur in this area. The Wild Coast moves at its own pace and on our trails we take the time to appreciate her mystical charms and natural wonders. Our time is governed by the tides and when the ocean allows, we harvest breakfast oysters or dive for crayfish to put over the coals of a lunch time braai under the Milkwoods. The Trail is professionally guided to ensure the safety of the group, but of equal importance, to ensure that no stone is left unturned along the way and that you experience all that each day has to offer. The Pondo Trail® is not a hike; it’s a journey, an experience, an adventure. This unique coastline is too fragile to sustain high density tourism. Therefore, we have created an exclusive, high-end product with a low environmental impact. Our 4-night trail is fully catered and supported, allowing guests the freedom to ‘travel light’ and embrace their surroundings. Behind the scenes, our ground crew will transport your luggage to each overnight stop and to make sure the Champagne is chilled and the fire is dancing upon your arrival. You can hike the Transkei, or, you can experience it the Wild Child Way. May the fortunate few who grace the Pondo shores with us leave enlightened and inspired…
50% paid upfront balance paid 6 weeks prior to departure: 
 
There is no bad time to be in Pondoland as each season has its highlights. The summer months are obviously wonderfully warm and great for swimming in the many rivers and in the ocean, but the winter months bring the sardine run and marine phenomenon that follows. Fishing is best during September and October months and crayfish season is open from March to October. The Pondo Trail runs from late January to early December.
 
On arrival at King Shaka International we immediately leave Durban and drive 2 hours to Port Edward for the night so as to allow for an early start to tour.  
 
 
Day 1 :
Our adventure starts in Port Edward at 08h00 if you choose the ocean safari transfer, or at Mtentu at 10h30 if you would rather travel by road. The day then offers incredible diversity in a mostly forgotten wilderness through the Mkambathi Nature Reserve; grass plains with a large range of antelope, a picnic lunch beneath a crystal-clear waterfall and finishing with sundowners overlooking the Msikaba estuary. Overnight at Msikaba Beach Camp. Distance 15km.
Optional – A boat transfer from Port Edward to Mtentu not only misses out a long and bumpy dirt road but allows for a phenomenal ocean safari to view dolphins, whales and the sardine migration in season. Highly recommended!
 
Day 2:
An early wakeup will coax you out of bed for a sunrise paddle up the Msikaba estuary for coffee and rusks before returning for breakfast at camp. The trail continues South from Msikaba to Luphatana past the site of the famous Grosvenor shipwreck, conveniently situated besides a protected beach, perfect for a lunchbreak and siesta. Champagne Mile and the famous Wild Coast salt-water-shower marks the end of the day’s walk and bring us to the Luphatana Pondo Camp where we will rest our heads for the night. Distance 18km.
 
Day 3:
This day is a mighty one! Filled with majestic landmarks and breath-taking vieszpoints, Waterfall Bluff, Bessie’s Cave and Cathedral Rock are only a few of the highlights that can be looked forward to. The day offers numerous opportunities to harvest seafood along the way that will add flavour to our lunch-time braai at our secret pool. Overnight at either Mbotyi River Lodge or a private beach cottage. Distance – 17km.
 
Day 4:
As in every good story, we save the best for last. The short stretch from Mbotyi to Manteku is the epitome of this beautiful coastline; five secluded, beautiful, pristine, Milkwood framed beaches that have no road access but that are linked by secret cattle paths only. A cheeky last climb presents the perfect vieszpoint over a fairy-tale finish line; Manteku’s private beach and estuary. Spend the afternoon paddling and fishing in the Manteku estuary before a celebratory seafood feast having successfully conquered the mighty Pondo Trail. Overnight at Manteku Pondo Camp. Distance 10km 
 
Day 5:
Enjoy breakfast at leisure and return home sporting the glorious “Pondo Glow”
 
The PONDO TRAIL® Info Pack – 2022 Meals:
All meals will either be freshly prepared by our team along the way or provided by the lodge where we are staying.
• Please make sure we are notified of any specific dietary requirements or any food allergies. Especially seafood, shellfish, vegan or vegetarian.
• Please understand that supplies are sent down to Pondoland prior to the start of your trip and quantities are calculated accordingly. Therefore, personal dietaries cannot be changed on the trail, and neither can we accommodate intolerances or preferences if these have not been communicated in your guest info document.
• After breakfast, you will receive a snack-pack to take with you each morning to keep the energy levels up throughout the day’s walk. It will consist of nuts, fruit, dried fruit, and sweets etc.
• A more substantial lunch-pack will be provided for the longer days or a lunchtime braai will be enjoyed along the way.
• Please note: Not from lack of effort or caring, but our snacks are packed in plastic uneco-friendly packaging for shelf-life and hygienic reasons. We will provide a recycling bag at the end of each days walk to collect these awful packets. Water:
• Drinking water will be provided at each overnight stop.
• You will need to fill your water bottles each morning before the walk.
• A soda-machine is available for sparkling water.
• There are beautifully clean rivers along the way to re-fill water bottles and your guide will notify you of these. Please do not re-fill at any rivers without your guide’s approval. Accommodation and drinks: • Guests are accommodated in 2-sleeper units. All units are equipped with an en-suite toilet and hot water shower.
• Linen, bath towels (1 per guest) and soap are provided.
• Your linen and towel will travel with you to each overnight stop so it’s in your own best interest to preserve your towel as best as possible. Our system ensures that your linen will be moved onto your same corresponding bed at the next camp.
• Charging points are available at all camps. However, there are no plug points in the units (they are solar powered) and therefore, hairdryers are not compatible. Hair is dried around the fire on the beach each evening……
• You will be responsible for your own bar tab at Mbotyi River Lodge if this stop is in the itinerary.
• All drinks at our beach camps will be provided. There will be a selection of soft drinks, local beers, wine, some bubbles and our now famous (infamous) Gin & Tonic. You are more than welcome to bring along a bottle of your favorite tipple if you like.
• A full bar service and hand selected wines are provided with premium departures. The walk itself:
• Daily distances range between 10 and 20km which will take us between 5 and 8 hours. Each day presents different challenges and new opportunities. The key is to travel light and to be as mobile as possible as spontaneity is often the key to a hidden secret. We will always walk as a group and there will be numerous stops along the way to swim, take photos, catch crayfish, harvest oysters, watch whales and dolphins or have a siesta. River crossings are influenced by tides and may require getting wet or a short swim. The physical and fitness requirements of the walk are not hugely demanding. However, there is no doubt that the fitter you are the more enjoyable it will be. A few nice long walks before-hand will put you on the front foot! Advised packing list:
• Back-pack (between 15 – 25 litre). We’ll be walking light with only water, camera, snackpack, warm top etc.
• Duffel bag – for the rest of your equipment that will go with the support van to each overnight stop. Dust-proof / water-proof duffels are highly recommended. Please pack lightly as space is very limited and life is simple in Pondoland.
• Comfortable pair of walking shoes that can get wet. Shoes, as opposed to hiking boots, are advised. Trail-Running type shoes are first choice. Avoid leather. Your shoes WILL get wet.
• 5 pairs of walking socks.
• 2 x water bottles or hydration bladder to carry a minimum or 1.5 litres at a time.
• Beach towel or sarong to travel in your duffel bag.
• 2 x comfortable, lightweight / quick-dry shorts to walk in.
• 4 x comfortable lightweight shirts to walk in.
• Lightweight waterproof shell jacket to go in your back-pack
• Cap / peak / hat
• Sunglasses
• Walking stick or hiking poles – highly recommended.
• Costume / swimming shorts (we’ll swim along the way)
• Camera
• Casual clothes and a pair of jeans for camp
• Slops or comfortable shoes for camp
• Warm jumper
• Headlight
• Toiletries and sunscreen
• A roll of 50mm Elastoplast for blisters
• Personal medication
• Mask and snorkel if you want to dive for crayfish We will provide the following:
• Dry bags for electronics and valuables at river crossings.
• Medical kit (general medication and first aid). Comms:
• We take pride in a mostly forced, yet highly encouraged digital detox. There is very limited cell phone reception along the trail. It’s not called the Wild Coast for nothing!
• We have secret, strategic cell phone reception points that we can reach in case of an emergency on the trail.
• At overnight camps, a short walk to reception points will allow you to check in with your loved ones each night.
• We will provide you with an emergency number for your loved ones to be able get hold of you while on the trail. Handy tips:
• Water and weight – there are many beautifully clean rivers along the way that offer perfect drinking water. It’s not wise lugging full, heavy water bottles to these crossings so we need to be strategic about how much water we carry and when we carry it.
• Blisters – If you are planning on getting new shoes for the hike, make sure you do a few good walks to wear them in beforehand. Prevention is always better than cure so please notify your guide if you are feeling any discomfort whatsoever so he can sort it out before it’s a real problem. Pack a roll of Elastoplast. Elastoplast + Zambuk = no blisters!
• Chafe – If you suffer from chafe then pack a pair of tights, they are always handy. Also, always carry a tin of Zambuk. Always the 1st item in our backpack!
• Knowledge is passion. You always enjoy a place more when you know a bit about it. The Wild Coast is a magical place and ‘The Sunburnt Queen’ by Hazel Crampton is a wonderful non-fiction book about the Wild Coast if you have the time to read it before the trip. We will have lunch on the exact beach that Bessie was shipwrecked.
• Be self-sufficient yet work as a team. There is no use carrying 12 bottles of sunscreen between the group. There is also no use carrying 1 bottle of water between the group…. See you in Pondo Paradise!